Field library

Purple Nutsedge (Deela)

Grass-like weed with a distinctly three-sided stem you can feel by rolling it between your fingers, and shiny dark green leaves. It grows from underground tubers that survive ploughing, which is why it is the hardest weed on the list to remove.

How to scout

Roll a stem between finger and thumb: three flat sides means nutsedge, not grass. Dig one up to see the chain of small tubers.